Sony, Mr. Tani’s employer of 32 years, consigned him to this room
because they can’t get rid of him. Sony had eliminated his
position at the Sony Sendai Technology Center, which in better
times produced magnetic tapes for videos and cassettes. But Mr.
Tani, 51, refused to take an early retirement offer from Sony in
late 2010 — his prerogative under Japanese labor law.

So there he sits in what is called the “chasing-out room.” He
spends his days there, with about 40 other holdouts.